Indian chess prodigy and reigning World Champion Dommaraju Gukesh added another glittering feather to his crown by claiming the Rapid title at the 2025 SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz, part of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour, held in Zagreb, Croatia. At just 19 years old, Gukesh delivered a performance that underlined his maturity, tenacity, and brilliance on the global stage, finishing with a commanding 14 out of 18 points over three days of intense competition.
A Rocky Start, A Stunning Comeback
The tournament didn't begin as planned for Gukesh. In the first round, he suffered a defeat at the hands of Jan-Krzysztof Duda, setting off what could have been a rocky path for many. But for Gukesh, it sparked a remarkable resurgence. With unflappable composure and precise tactical execution, he went on to win five consecutive games, including a sensational victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 4. That win marked not just a major shift in momentum but also sent a resounding message to the chess world—Gukesh was here to dominate.
The triumph over Carlsen, described as a clinical dismantling, firmly cemented Gukesh's position atop the leaderboard. Carlsen, despite a good start on the final day with a win over Fabiano Caruana, failed to close the gap due to a subsequent draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
Final Day: Composure and Class
Day 3 of the rapid section saw Gukesh playing with a strategic focus. His first game of the day ended in a quiet draw against Dutch GM Anish Giri, a locked middlegame that offered little room for fireworks but plenty of caution. In the second game, he faced Croatia's Ivan Saric, where he unleashed the Marshall Gambit in an 87-move marathon that ended in a hard-fought draw, once again showcasing his grit and willingness to battle till the very end.
The highlight of the day—and the crown jewel of the rapid section—was Gukesh's final-round game against Wesley So. In a composed 36-move encounter, Gukesh capitalized on a tactical slip by the American Grandmaster and converted his material advantage into a full-point win. That victory secured him the top spot on the table, marking a triumphant end to a run that featured six wins, two draws, and just one loss.
World Champion Gukesh D leads the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia after three days of rapid chess, scoring 14 points out of 18. A strong final day, finished with a win in Round 9, gave him a three-point lead heading into the blitz portion of the event.
Jan-Krzysztof Duda is in… pic.twitter.com/NAAA8rorud— Grand Chess Tour (@GrandChessTour) July 4, 2025
Leaderboard and Standings: Gukesh Leads the Pack
The final standings of the rapid section reflect Gukesh’s dominance:
1. D Gukesh – 14 points
2. Jan-Krzysztof Duda – 11 points
3. Magnus Carlsen – 10 points
4-5. Fabiano Caruana, R Praggnanandhaa – 9 points each
6-8. Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So, Anish Giri – 8 points each
9. Ivan Saric – 7 points
10. Nodirbek Abdusattorov – 6 points
While Duda, the only player to beat Gukesh in the tournament, maintained consistency and pressure throughout, he had to settle for second place. Carlsen, despite flashes of brilliance, couldn’t recover enough points to close in on the title.
Praggnanandhaa: Steady but Subdued
Another Indian chess star, R Praggnanandhaa, had a quieter outing in Zagreb but remained steady. He secured a single win—against Ivan Saric in Round 7—and drew seven of his nine games, finishing with 9 points, on par with Fabiano Caruana. While not spectacular, his consistency keeps him in strong contention in the overall Grand Chess Tour standings, especially after his victory in Bucharest and third-place finish in Warsaw.
Gukesh gives a shoutout to his cousin, who'd predicted he'd beat Magnus and asked for a shoutout if he did! #GrandChessTour pic.twitter.com/0mbKaf5fxJ— chess24 (@chess24com) July 4, 2025
A Humble Champion: Gukesh’s Reaction and A Family Shoutout
In a lighthearted post-match interview, Gukesh revealed a funny anecdote involving one of his cousins. Before the tournament, the cousin had predicted that Gukesh would beat Magnus Carlsen and demanded a shoutout in case it happened. After forgetting to mention it immediately post-match, Gukesh laughingly said,
“Before I came into this tournament, one of my cousins told me that I was going to beat Magnus. So we made a deal that if I do beat Magnus, I will give him a shoutout in my interview. I completely forgot yesterday, and he was quite upset about that.”
The young champion also reflected on his performance and approach moving into the blitz section, stating:
“I think so far I have been playing good chess, so the strategy will be to play good chess with good time management, and I hope everything will work out.”
Kasparov’s High Praise and Gukesh’s Grounded Response
Gukesh’s stellar win over Magnus Carlsen even drew admiration from chess legend Garry Kasparov, who remarked during commentary:
“Now we can question Magnus’ domination... This is not just his second loss to Gukesh, it’s a convincing loss... a big fight. And Magnus lost.”
While Kasparov’s praise was substantial, Gukesh chose humility, responding:
“That's very nice to hear but I prefer not to think in those terms. I still see myself as a player who is working hard to improve every day. Just taking one game at a time, one tournament at a time.”
Next Up: Blitz and Beyond
The blitz section of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz kicked off on July 5 and concludes on July 6, with combined points from both sections determining the overall champion. With Gukesh in such commanding form, the upcoming blitz games could serve as a crowning moment in what is fast becoming a landmark year for Indian chess.
Beyond Zagreb, the Grand Chess Tour 2025 has two more major stops—the United States in August and Brazil between September and October. Gukesh's dominance in Zagreb may very well be the turning point that propels him toward overall Grand Chess Tour glory, possibly marking the beginning of a new era in the chess world—one where Indian players are not just contenders but champions.
The Rise of a Global Grandmaster
D Gukesh's emphatic victory in Zagreb is more than just a tournament win. It’s a testament to a young champion's evolving mastery, mental resilience, and relentless drive. As he leads the Grand Chess Tour standings with poise and purpose, the chess world watches with keen interest. Whether facing legends like Carlsen or competing in grueling long-format games, Gukesh has proven he's not just the future of Indian chess—he’s its formidable present.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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